Kevin's Birthday Wish

Kevin was just 11 months old when doctors in his hometown discovered a cancerous brain tumor known as medulloblastoma.

"They gave him zero chance for survival,” his father remembers.

Desperate for hope for their son, the family obtained a referral to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital where Kevin underwent chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.

In the years since, Kevin has undergone 50 surgeries and has had 16 brain tumors removed.

Cancer has left Kevin with frequent pain and a sustained disability, but despite all of this, he has remained a beacon of hope for everyone around him.Kevin often serves at the soup kitchen where his father works and even dresses up as Elvis and performs at local nursing homes.

“I’ve learned more from him than anything,” Kevin’s dad said.“I remember one cold day when we were walking to the building that housed the pool where Kevin did physical therapy.Sleet and rain hit me in the face and when I was just about to open my mouth to complain, Kevin looked up at me, smiled and said, ‘It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?’He was just happy to go swimming with his dad.From that day on, I can always find something to be grateful for.”

Even though Kevin is currently undergoing treatment for yet another relapse, he has pledged to raise $28,000 this year for the hospital --“$1,000 for each birthday I’ve been able to celebrate thanks to St. Jude,” he says.